White 55 gallon drums for feed storage, Would that be OK?

[VT Chick-lit]

I have an oppertunity to get some white or blue 55 gallon plastic drums with lids from a farmer that advertised on Craigs List. He has hundreds of them that contained either teat dip, detergent or iodine. They are not free and they need to be cleaned, but they are relatively inexpensive, $10 for the 55 gallon ones and $7 for the 15 gallon ones. I want several to use to hold water, in the case of an emergency. I also thought that one of the 15 gallon would be good to make chicken maneur tea in for the garden. Does anyone know if these would be good to store grains, chicken feed or flour in? They are suposedly food grade.
Any one have suggestions for other uses for these drums.

 

[davidb]

If there food grade they will be fine to store feed in ,But make sure you triple wash each one, and let them dry real good before you use them

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

For water no. Go to a restaurant an get some that had some kind of food products in it like oil. For feed, sure, clean them well an there ok. Chemicals leach in to the plastic an would leach back out in to your water but not as bad in to dry feed.

 

[rdranch]

I think you should get a 55 gal one to make your manure tea. The more the better and it's a great price.

 

[fowlmood]

Just keep in mind that rodents, such as squirrels, can and will chew through the plastic barrels.

 

[Poohbear]

Wash them out good with dishwashing detergent and dry them good. Get some of the thick "Contractor" garbage bags at the lumber store or hardware. Place the contractor garbage bag inside the barrel and secure it around the outside edge with a bungee cord, string, rope or tape so it doesn't slip into the barrel when you are pouring feed in it. I exchange garbage bags every 2nd or 3rd time I load it with feed. That way I don't get stale, bottom or damp feed. You MUST keep a lid on it to keep out mice and wet weather. Both will kill your fowl if they enter your feed barrels. Mice pee in it and wet weather will make it toxic.jmo

 

[Snakeoil]

Sounds like a deal to me.

 

[TechEdFireman]

I use a Open top Metal barrel for my feed (pellets) I can hold 300 lbs in a 55. The top has a band clamp with a bolt on it and I just hand tighten that and yet to have a problem. To get around stuff leaching into the feed I put a 55 gallon garbage bag in then I put the feed in. My barrels had a silicone sealant in it so I can't wash it out. I got my barrels free from a spray foam insulation contractor who has hundreds of barrels.

 

[sundance]

I use a 55 gallon drum to catch rain water, and have some fishing minners in them for mosquito control, bur I only use them to water the animals or garden, but for 10 bucks I would buy some, wash them out good and line them with a couple plastic trash bags. marrie

 

[kbbeale]

Thats a really good deal, the ones on my CL are $27 for the 55 gals with lids.